Seoul: The second vice finance minister urged measures Wednesday to boost efficiency in budget spending, stressing the need to better use fiscal resources to support the sluggish economy, government officials said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Vice Finance Minister Lim Ki-keun, during a meeting with officials from related ministries, instructed the ministries to "thoroughly review any habitual or wasteful expenditures" when drafting the 2026 budget proposal. Lim's instruction followed a call from President Lee Jae Myung to drastically adjust inefficient budget spending to ensure next year's budget is allocated effectively to address the economic slowdown and trade uncertainties.

In Wednesday's meeting, Lim emphasized the importance of "boldly" discarding underperforming projects and making strong efforts to enhance fiscal efficiency while considering mid- to long-term budgetary requirements. The finance ministry noted that all resources secured through expenditure restructuring will be reinvested in the new administration's policy initiatives. These plans will be incorporated into the 2026 budget proposal, which will be submitted to the National Assembly in September.